The success of the "Skylanders" franchise rides on the "razor blade" business model of Gillette founder King Gillette. Instead of selling men new razors every time the blades went dull, Gillette came up with the idea of selling a permanent razor that used replaceable, disposable blades that were cheaper. This idea created a huge base of repeat customers and captured the men’s grooming market. Let's see what other products that follow the "razor blade" model. less

The success of the "Skylanders" franchise rides on the "razor blade" business model of Gillette founder King Gillette. Instead of selling men new razors every time the blades went dull, Gillette came up with ... more

Photo: DANNY JOHNSTON, Getty Images

The success of the "Skylanders" franchise rides on the... Photo-6376537.86835 - SFGate

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Printers

You buy one company's printers and you're tied to buying their proprietary replacement ink cartridges, with ink costing far more per gallon than gasoline.

You buy one company's printers and you're tied to buying their proprietary replacement ink cartridges, with ink costing far more per gallon than gasoline.

Photo: Ryan McVay, Getty Images

You buy one company's printers and you're tied to buying... Photo-6376539.86835 - SFGate

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Mobile phones

The mobile carriers subsidize the phones, sometimes at no out of pocket cost for subscribers for the device itself. But then you’re stuck with monthly subscriptions, texting fees and other costs that more than make up for the cost of the device. less

The mobile carriers subsidize the phones, sometimes at no out of pocket cost for subscribers for the device itself. But then you’re stuck with monthly subscriptions, texting fees and other costs that more ... more

Photo: Ermin Gutenberger, Getty Images

The mobile carriers subsidize the phones, sometimes at no out of... Photo-6377518.86835 - SFGate

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Apple iPod

Apple is known for its Mac computers, but the company didn't really take off financially until after the introduction of the iPod MP3 player. Apple then tied it to selling songs from the iTunes Music Store, which led to an entire universe of songs, TV shows, movies and especially apps that produced continuing revenue for the company. The iTunes Store now also serves as the tie that binds iPad and iPhone customers to Apple. In addition, the iPod's "halo effect" exposed even non-Mac customers to the desktops and laptops. less

Apple is known for its Mac computers, but the company didn't really take off financially until after the introduction of the iPod MP3 player. Apple then tied it to selling songs from the iTunes Music Store, ... more

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Apple is known for its Mac computers, but the company didn't... Photo-6376541.86835 - SFGate

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Apple iPod

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.86835 - SFGate

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Amazon Kindle

Similarly, Amazon sells its electronic reader, then gets you to keep buying more electronic books to read on the reader, and maybe along the way, you also buy more stuff from Amazon.com.

Similarly, Amazon sells its electronic reader, then gets you to keep buying more electronic books to read on the reader, and maybe along the way, you also buy more stuff from Amazon.com.

It's basically just a mop, but once you buy a Swiffer, you'll keep buying the disposable pads that do the dirty work on your floors.

It's basically just a mop, but once you buy a Swiffer, you'll keep buying the disposable pads that do the dirty work on your floors.

Photo: HANDOUT, Getty Images

It's basically just a mop, but once you buy a Swiffer,... Photo-6376535.86835 - SFGate

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Film cameras

For decades, consumers bought relatively inexpensive cameras, but kept having to feed those cameras with film canisters to take pictures. Then they paid more money to have the film developed and the photos printed. This was a self-contained marketing cycle that made Kodak a hugely profitable worldwide corporation – until the advent of digital cameras made film obsolete and ruined Kodak’s business model. less

For decades, consumers bought relatively inexpensive cameras, but kept having to feed those cameras with film canisters to take pictures. Then they paid more money to have the film developed and the photos ... more

They only work with compatible brush heads, forcing customers to pick a brand and stick to it.

They only work with compatible brush heads, forcing customers to pick a brand and stick to it.

Photo: Stockbyte, Getty Images

They only work with compatible brush heads, forcing customers to... Photo-6376536.86835 - SFGate

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Electric toothbrushes

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.86835 - SFGate

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Video game consoles

Once you chose between the PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo game consoles, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo make more money selling you games.

Once you chose between the PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo game consoles, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo make more money selling you games.

Photo: Powers Imagery, Getty Images

Once you chose between the PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo game... Photo-6376534.86835 - SFGate

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Coffee pod machines

Coffee brewers that work with proprietary single-cup pods of coffee. The prime example is the Keurig, from Massachusetts company Keurig Green Mountain. Once you buy a machine, the only way to make coffee with it is to buy coffee-filled pods that only work on that brand. less

Coffee brewers that work with proprietary single-cup pods of coffee. The prime example is the Keurig, from Massachusetts company Keurig Green Mountain. Once you buy a machine, the only way to make coffee with ... more